Zvornik

Zvornik is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in Republika Srpska, on the left bank of the Drina river. In 2013, it had a population of 58,856 inhabitants.
The town of Mali Zvornik ("Little Zvornik") lies directly across the river in Serbia. Kula Grad, a village that is part of Zvornik municipality, has a Middle Age fort, Zvornik fortress, built in the 12th century.
History
Zvornik is first mentioned in 1410, although it was known as Zvonik ("bell tower") at that time. The town's geographic location has made it an important trade link between Bosnia and the east. For instance, the main road connecting Sarajevo and Belgrade runs through the city. The medieval fort known as Kula grad was built in the early 7th century and still stands on the Mlađevac mountainous range overlooking the Drina Valley.
Ottoman rule
During the Ottoman period, Zvornik was the capital of the Sanjak of Zvornik (an administrative region) within the Eyalet of Bosnia. This was primarily the case because of the city's crucial role in the economy and the strategic importance of the city's location. The Sanjak of Zvornik was one of six Ottoman sanjaks with most developed shipbuilding (besides the sanjaks of Vidin, Nicopolis, Požega, Smederevo and Mohač). In 1806, Zvornik was home to Mehmed-beg Kulenović.
World War II
Ustasha troops of the fascist Independent State of Croatia occupied Zvornik, along with most of Bosnia, in April 1941. The town was liberated in July 1943 by the 1st Proletarian Brigade during the Battle of Zvornik.
Bosnian war
During the Bosnian War (1992–1995) Zvornik's Bosniak population was expelled. The military attack of paramilitary groups that came from Serbia on Zvornik Bosniaks commenced on 8 April 1992. During April 1992, many European news stations daily reported Serb armed attacks and mass killings of the Bosniak population of Zvornik and the surrounding villages.
On 19 May 1992, combined JNA, Serb paramilitary and Arkan's Tigers took control of Zvornik and Mali Zvornik. The suburbs of Karakaj and Čelopek were places of prisons where hundreds of local Bosniaks were killed. The remaining Bosniaks and non-Serbs were relegated to concentration camps and detention facilities throughout the area. During the war Serb forces destroyed mosques in and around the city.
Settlements
Aside from the city proper area of Zvornik, the municipality comprises the following settlements:
Androvići
Baljkovica
Baljkovica Donja
Boškovići
Buložani
Čelopek
Cer
Divič
Donja Pilica
Donji Lokanj
Drinjača
Dugi Dio
Đevanje
Đulići
Glodi
Glumina
Goduš
Gornja Pilica
Gornji Lokanj
Grbavci Donji
Grbavci Gornji
Gušteri
Jardan
Jasenica
Jusići
Kamenica Donja
Kamenica Gornja
Kiseljak
Kitovnice
Klisa
Kostijerevo
Kozluk
Kraljevići
Križevići
Kučić Kula
Kula Grad
Liješanj
Liplje
Malešići
Marčići
Međeđa
Mehmedići
Nezuk
Novo Selo
Pađine
Paljevići
Petkovci
Potočani
Rastošnica
Roćević
Rožanj
Sapna
Skočić
Snagovo
Snagovo Donje
Snagovo Gornje
Sopotnik
Šepak Donji
Šepak Gornji
Šetići
Tabanci
Trnovica
Tršić
Ugljari
Vitinica
Vrela
Zaseok
Zelinje
Demographics
Population
Ethnic composition
Economy
The table shows the number of registered people employed in legal entities by their core activity in 2018:
Culture
The Cultural Summer of Zvornik (Zvorničko kulturno ljeto) is an annual event held in the first week of August, usually for six days. Its main objective is to become a traditional cultural event which will open the doors of Zvornik for recognized cultural values.
The festival was first held in August 2001 as a local event and has grown to be one of to biggest festivals in the Balkans.
In 2007, famous singers such as Neda Ukraden and Sandi Cenov participated, but in 2008 theis festival featured some of the most notable stars from former Yugoslavia, like Željko Joksimović, Hari Mata Hari, Van Gogh and Marinko Rokvić. There is also a regatta on the river Drina, a fun marathon and many cultural events and competitions during day and night.
International co-operation
Zvornik is twinned with:
Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia
Other friendships and cooperations, protocols, memorandums:
Kolchugino, Russia
Sport
The local football clubs, FK Drina Zvornik and ŽFK Drina Zvornik, play in the First League of the Republika Srpska. Members of the First league of Republika Srpska also are volleyball and handball clubs Zvornik.
Notable people
Seka Aleksić, singer
Ermin Bičakčić, footballer
Rade Đokić, footballer
Amer Hrustanović, sports wrestler, European medallist
Said Husejinović, footballer
Goran Ikonić, basketball player
Zlatko Junuzović, Austrian footballer
Samir Muratović, footballer
Nada Obrić, singer
Denis Omerbegović, footballer
Borisav Pisić, athlete
Sejad Salihović, footballer
See also
Podrinje
Drina
References
Official results from the book: Ethnic composition of Bosnia-Herzegovina population, by municipalities and settlements, 1991. census, Zavod za statistiku Bosne i Hercegovine - Bilten no.234, Sarajevo 1991.
External links
Official website
Drinariver.com
Zvornik Travel Guide - android aplikacija
Populated places in Zvornik
Municipalities of Republika Srpska
1410 establishments in Europe
Populated places established in the 1410s